The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has lauded the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, for his immense support in ensuring the successful participation of FCT pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Speaking to newsmen in Makkah on Monday, the Director of the Board, Malam Kadiri Edah, expressed gratitude to Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, for granting the necessary approvals that facilitated smooth Hajj operations.
“He (Wike) did well because FCT pilgrims never lacked anything. And he also gave us the free hands without serious personal intervention in our activities,” Edah stated.
“I want to use the opportunity to thank him, and by extension the FCT Minister of State for providing unwavering support to the board and FCT pilgrims in general,” he added.
Edah attributed the achievements of the Board during the 2025 Hajj to the backing it received from the FCT Administration. He noted that the success began with the seamless sales of Hajj forms and continued through well-organized educational and medical orientation programs for intending pilgrims.
“After the sales of forms, we organise education and orientation programmes for our pilgrims within which we did some medical examinations for our pilgrims to be sure they are fit for the exercise.
“Besides, we also educate our pilgrims on some of the Islamic rites, apart from medical screening. We also educate them on how to conduct themselves when they get to Saudi Arabia, so that they don’t violate the laws of the host country,” he said.
The director also commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the improvements recorded in the 2025 Hajj operations, especially in the areas of airlifting, accommodation, food, and health services.
“NAHCON did well compared to previous years. The airlifting operations for the pilgrims were very smooth, because the airliners that were allocated, especially to FCT, if I may talk about FCT, had the capacity to transport many as 400 as against 200 last year.
“And then coming to menu, they did pretty well, because as we observed, the tents provided were much spacious than they used to be, and the food was commendable.
“And the issue of health, they did well too, because for issues that we had, there was prompt attention, prompt responses. I think it was a fair mark for them,” Edah noted.
While acknowledging that 1,500 of the 1,531 registered FCT pilgrims were granted visas, Edah explained that the remaining 31 could not travel due to the visa closure by the Saudi authorities. Despite this, he said the board worked tirelessly to ensure quality accommodation and meals for those who made the journey.
“On the issue of welfare, we did our best. As far as accommodation is concerned, you can find out, as I told you, accommodation is within the vicinity of Masjid Haram, it is a trekkable distance.
“And then the food we are giving our pilgrims when compared to other states, I think it’s one of the best so far.
“You can find out from the pilgrims how far, compared to what they used to have before.
“I’m not the one saying this, it is the response I got from people, or people are telling me, commending me, for the food especially,” he said.
Edah also highlighted how the board effectively managed medical emergencies, including a case where a staff member collapsed during Arafat Day but was promptly attended to and later fully recovered.
“In fact, at a point, he was almost unconscious but he got resuscitated and came back to the tent late in the night and he is well now,” he said.
